Rafael dos Anjos makes predictions for UFC 228 and UFC 229 main events

This Saturday night, in the main event of UFC 228, UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley will attempt to defend his title opposite undefeated British challenger Darren Till. Rafael dos Anjos, who is one of the top contenders in the crowded UFC welterweight division, will be watching this fight closely.

For Rafael dos Anjos, the outcome of this fight could come down to whether or not Till makes weight. This is something Till has struggled with before, and the reason dos Anjos doesn’t think he deserves a title shot. At the end of the day, however, he believes Woodley will probably retain the title.

“I don’t agree with that, but he got his chance,” Rafael dos Anjos said on UFC Tonight recently (transcript via MMA Fighting). “Here’s what I think, if Till does not make weight and the fight happens, I think he’ll have a little advantage over Tyron. But I think that weight cut will be brutal on him, he’s a big boy. I met him, he’s a big guy and if he makes weight I give the fight for Tyron. If he does make 170, I think Tyron has a better chance, a lot more experience.”

“It’s an MMA fight. Tyron is an intelligent fighter, he’s going to find out everything he needs to do when the fight starts,” dos Anjos continued. “I think there could be a way, Darren Till if you strike with him, you’re going to put him in his comfort zone, but I think Tyron has a lot more main events, five-round fights, and I think that’s going to count to his advantage.”

Rafael dos Anjos also made a prediction for the UFC 229 main event, which will see Khabib Nurmagomedov attempt to defend his title against Conor McGregor. 

“Looking at the five-round fight, I think if Khabib put him down in the first round, I think he could get a finish,” he said. “He’s gonna pound on him and he’s got good control, he’s going to lay on him, on top of him, and it’s gonna be a long night for Conor.”

This article first appeared on BJPENN.COM on 9/6/2018.